This department offers study in the following graduate degree programs: BIOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY,
and ZOOLOGY, Master of Science; BIOLOGY and ZOOLOGY,
Doctor of Philosophy. The master's and
doctoral programs include specializations in the areas of behavior, botany, cell and molecular biology, ecology,
environmental toxicology, microbiology, physiology, and systematics and evolutionary biology.

Once admitted to a master's or doctoral degree program, the student may be required by an advisory
committee to take a preliminary, diagnostic examination that includes subject matter usually required of undergraduates. If
the preliminary examination reveals serious weaknesses in the student's subject-matter background, the student may
be required to take remedial courses designated by an advisory committee. The basic degree requirements of
the Graduate School determine the policy of the department.

The Department of Biological Sciences has no general requirement of a foreign language. However, it may
be necessary for a student to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language in certain programs, if such is
necessary for research purposes.

The student's advisory committee will make recommendations concerning language options, statistics, and
basic work in other sciences.

The 36-hour nonthesis option may be elected by students working toward the M.S. degrees in biology,
microbiology, or zoology. However, those students who expect to work beyond the M.S. degree, and toward the
Ph.D. degree are strongly encouraged to choose the 30-hour thesis option.

All graduate students majoring in this department are required to take BIOL 6202 during their first fall
semester after acceptance in the graduate degree program.

Courses in Biology. (BIOL)

5302. Advanced Cell Biology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: 8 hours of biology, 8 hours of chemistry, plus at least one semester of
organic chemistry; or consent of instructor. Structure and function of cells with introduction to modern techniques for cell study. Course
is offered to graduate students with no formal training in cell biology.

5303. Advanced Experimental Cell Biology (3:1:6).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and prior or concurrent enrollment in
BIOL 5302. A project-oriented introduction to modern research techniques used to study cellular and molecular processes in
eukaryotic cells.

5305. Organic Evolution for Advanced Students (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: BIOL 3301 or equivalent course in genetics. The concept
of evolution, its mode and tempo of operation, and its relationship to organic diversity in its broadest sense are emphasized. S.

5309. Advanced Ecology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Background in organismal biology or undergraduate ecology. A detailed examination of
the structural and functional relationships underlying the organization of populations, communities, and ecosystems. F.

5310. Advanced Community Ecology (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: A course in ecology or consent of instructor. An investigation of
both theoretical and experimental approaches to understanding the composition, diversity, and structure of plant, animal, and
microbial communities. F, even years.

5320. Advanced Molecular Biology (3:3:0).
Coverage includes a rigorous examination of molecular processes in cellular functioning.
Experimental approaches used to investigate molecular events in eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and viruses will be emphasized. S.

5405. Systems Ecology (4:3:3). Prerequisite: MATH 1352 or 1552, BIOL 3303 and 3307, or consent of instructor. Theory
and techniques of system analysis and mathematical modeling applied to ecological problems. S, even years.

5407. Advanced Population Biology (4:3:3).
Prerequisite: BIOL 3301, 3303, or equivalent. Introduction to the genetics or
ecology of populations including a survey of topical, historic, and current literature with emphasis on experimental evaluation of
testable hypotheses. S.

6000. Master's Thesis (V1-6).

6100. Advanced Topics in Biology (1). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Special areas of current interest not commonly included
in other courses. Content normally different each time offered. May be repeated for additional credit.

6101. Seminar (1:1:0). Various topics in modern biology. May be repeated for credit.

6202. Preparation for Graduate Learning and Teaching in Biology (2:2:0).
Prerequisite: Acceptance in a graduate degree program in the Department of Biological Sciences or consent of instructor. Preparation of graduate students for the roles of
scholar, researcher, and teaching assistant. Emphasizes literature research, preparation of visual aids, innovative teaching strategies,
and problem-solving methods. F.

6301. Advanced Topics in Biology (3).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Special areas of current interest not commonly included
in other courses. Content normally different each time offered. May be repeated for additional credit.

6307. Topics in Biodiversity (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An investigation of the causes and implications of
biological diversity, including species diversity and phenotypic variation among and within species. F, odd years.

6309. Advanced Topics in Quantitative Biology (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Studies of current applications
of mathematics, statistics, and computing to the biological sciences. Content normally different each time offered. May be repeated
for additional credit.

6314. Advanced Biogeography (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Descriptive and analytical studies of the
geographical distribution of organisms, past and present. Ecological and historical aspects are emphasized. F, odd years.

6315. Regulation of Gene Expression (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: BIOL 5320 or 4320. An advanced, in-depth analysis of current research
on mechanisms that regulate eukaryotic gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. S.

6408. Research Techniques in Electron Microscopy (4:1:6).
Prerequisite: BA or BS in a scientific field. Introduction to operation
of electron microscopes emphasizing independent work with organic or inorganic sample preparation and analysis for transmission
or scanning electron microscopes.

6501. Cytogenetics (5:3:6). Prerequisite: BIOL 3301 or PSS 3421. A study of genetic mechanisms of plants and animals and
their correlated cytological interpretations. S, odd years.

6502. Biometry (5:4:3). Prerequisite: College algebra. The application of statistical methods to data from various fields of
biological research. Special emphasis on conceptual bases of univariate and multivariate tests from both parametric and nonparametric
perspectives. F.

7000. Research (V1-12).

8000. Doctor's Dissertation (V1-12).

Courses in Botany. (BOT)

5401. Advanced Plant Physiology (4:3:3).
Prerequisite: Organic chemistry or biochemistry and general botany or biology. A
general plant physiology course for graduate students with no previous training in plant physiology. Emphasis is placed on recent
experimental advances in the field.

5404. Advanced Taxonomy of the Vascular Plants (4:3:3).
A survey of the diversity of vascular plants (emphasis on angiosperms)
and the methodology of their classification. Lecture emphasizes modern approaches to systematics; lab emphasizes identification
and collection techniques. F.

5409. Advanced Developmental Plant Anatomy (4:3:3).
Prerequisite: BIOL 1403 or equivalent. Rigorous study of the anatomy
of plants and its developmental control. Experimental approaches and recent research progress will be emphasized. F, odd years.

Courses in Microbiology. (MBIO)

5301. Advanced General Microbiology (3:2:3).
Prerequisite or parallel: Organic chemistry. Content is similar to that of MBIO
3401 except that readings or original research in one area of microbiology is required. May not be taken for credit by students who
have taken MBIO 3401. F, S.

5401. Current Perspectives in Microbial Ecology (4:3:3).
Prerequisite: A course in microbiology, mycology, ecology, or related
area, or consent of instructor; may not be taken for credit by students who have taken MBIO 4401. Course will examine specific
theories and concepts concerning ecology of the soil microflora and microfauna, and the roles of these organisms in ecosystem functioning. S.

5403. Immunobiology (4:3:4). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Content is similar to that of MBIO 4402 except that readings
or research in one area of immunology is required. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken MBIO 4402. S.

5404. Pathogenic Microbiology (4:3:4).
Prerequisite: MBIO 3401 or 5301; may not be taken for credit by students who have
received credit for MBIO 4404. A detailed study of pathogenic microorganisms. F, even years.

5408. Microbial Genetics (4:3:3). Prerequisite: MBIO 5301 or consent of instructor. Topics include current techniques of
genetic analysis, molecular biology, molecular genetics, nucleic acid metabolism, and gene regulation in microorganisms, with emphasis
on bacteria and bacteriophages. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken MBIO 4406. F.

6306. General Virology (3:2:3). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An introduction to the biology of animal, bacterial, and
plant viruses. S.

6309. Advanced Immunology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: MBIO 4402 or 5403 or consent of instructor. An in-depth coverage of
current concepts in immunology. Topics will include monoclonal antibodies, receptors, cell-cell cooperation, immunogenetics, and
modern aspects of immunochemistry. F, odd years.

Courses in Zoology. (ZOOL)

5303. Parasitology for Advanced Students (3:2:3).
Prerequisite: BIOL 1404 or equivalent and 8 additional semester hours
of biological sciences. Modern concepts of symbiosis involving protozoa and metazoa in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
Written report on particular topic required. Open to graduate students who have not taken ZOOL 3303 or equivalent. S.

5312. Advanced Animal Behavior (3:3:0).
Comparative animal behavior with emphasis on genetics and neurophysiology and how
they relate to survival. F.

5315. Molecular Techniques for Systematics and Evolution (3:1:4).
Prerequisite: Cell biology, molecular biology, or consent
of instructor. Allows beginning graduate students to become proficient in research techniques employed in molecular systematics
and evolution labs.

5401. Animal Histology for Advanced Students (4:2:6).
Prerequisite: ZOOL 2405 or a course in chordate anatomy or consent
of instructor. Microscopic anatomy of the normal cells, tissues, and organ systems of the human and other mammals are studied.
Open to graduate students who have not taken ZOOL 3401 or equivalent.

5406. Advanced Invertebrate Zoology (4:3:3).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. This course develops a comprehension of
the structure, function, ecology, and evolution of invertebrate animals, with an emphasis on the relationships among taxa and the
diversity within taxa. Written reports on special projects required. F.

5407. Vertebrate Zoology for Advanced Students (4:3:3).
Diversity, evolutionary relationships, and adaptations of vertebrates.
Field trips required. Open to students who have not taken ZOOL 4307.

5409. Comparative Physiology for Advanced Students (4:3:3).
Prerequisite: ZOOL 2405 or 3406; BIOL 3420; CHEM
3305, 3306 recommended. A comparison of physiological functions including homeostatic mechanisms, muscle, nerve, in the major phyla.
Laboratory reports written in a journal format are required.

6000. Master's Thesis (V1-6).

6302. Principles of Systematic Zoology for Advanced Students (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: BIOL 3301 or equivalent; BIOL 4305
or 5305 recommended. Theory and practice of naming, describing, and classifying organisms. Speciation, phylogeny
reconstruction, and other current topics in evolutionary biology emphasized. F, even years.

6303. Seminar in Mammalogy for Advanced Students (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. A historical perspective
of mammology as a science including advances in ideology, character systems, and data analysis. Current topics and controversies will
be addressed. S, odd years.

6320. Comparative Neuroanatomy (3:2:3).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. A comparative study of the vertebrate central
nervous system, with emphasis on the structure, development, and function of the mammalian brain.

6321. Advanced Herpetology (3:2:3).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. The course will be concerned with the biology of
amphibians and reptiles. Stress will be placed on classification, evolution, ecology, and anatomy of the various groups.